Source: Team_Talk
Ricardo relishes return to action
The 22-year-old had been out with a knee injury suffered against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the end of September last year.
The striker admitted that at times he doubted whether he would return to the game - but having played 45 minutes on Monday he confirms his confidence has returned.
A first-team comeback still seems some way off but the Portuguese ace could force his way into Gary Megson's plans for the Carling Cup clash with West Ham next week.
"After such a long time of waiting, wondering and even doubting myself, it was great to be back out there," he told the club's official website.
"I tried to take things easy and not to get carried away with the excitement because it was important to keep control and see what the match had to offer.
"To be honest, everything went better than I expected. I thought the game would be harder, but I was happy with the way I felt and I know my fitness will come at a later date with the more matches that I play.
"I wasn't at 100 per cent but I did more than enough to get my confidence back. Hopefully in the next game I can take it a bit higher and start to get back on track."
Reserve-team coach Alan Cork was also pleased to see Vaz Te back in action and revealed that the frontman wanted to play on for longer.
"I was pleased for him," he said. "He wanted to play for longer but he has been out for 12 months and that will have given him a good grounding.
"He looked fit and looked like the old Ricardo."
Bolton 6/5, Draw 9/4, Stoke 12/5
